The Hochschule Geisenheim University has put an innovative mobile agrivoltaic system into operation. The “VitiCULT PV-mobil” pilot project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), combines viticulture and solar power generation on an agricultural site with a simple design.
The system, whose modules can be set up over new vine plantings without any major construction effort, offers shady protection. In the event of strong winds, the modules can be automatically retracted into a protective housing, which allows for a much simpler design. The new system concept was developed in particular to protect new plantings that do not establish well in increasingly dry and hot years. The modular lightweight design is intended to allow uncomplicated switching between young plant systems.
Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU), the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and sbp sonne are working closely together on the project. Fraunhofer ISE, Europe’s largest research institute for solar energy, developed the idea of agri-photovoltaics (agri-PV). sbp sonne is contributing its expertise in technical concept development and construction. HGU contributes viticultural expertise and combines basic research with practice-oriented studies.
The project is being supported as part of the BMBF funding measure “KMU-innovativ” as part of a joint project for energy efficiency and climate protection. The aim is to promote integrative solutions for climate resilience, energy transition and plant protection and thus strengthen sustainable cultural landscapes.
